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In its decision, the Church described homosexuality as a “choice”, pointing out that it was a “sin” and that it could not be recognized as objectively consistent with God’s plan.
Such a categorical statement from the Church is sure to disappoint millions of gay and lesbian Catholics around the world, writes CNN.
“The blessing of homosexual unions cannot be considered legitimate,” the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican’s highest body of doctrine, wrote in a statement.
The document says that “God does not and cannot bless sin.”
Pope Francis, who is often cited as an example of the spread of modern religion due to his friendly position with LGBTQ people both outside and inside the Church, formally endorsed this letter from the Church.
A blow to the faithful “modernization” of the Church
Such a decision could become a blow to those who expected the modernization of the Church on the issue of homosexuality with the arrival of Pope Francis. Dozens of states around the world, including many in Western Europe, have legalized same-sex marriage, and the Church’s reluctance to accept LGBTQ people has potentially hampered youth participation in the institution, CNN reports.
“You cannot bless a relationship or couple, not even a stable one, with sexual activity outside of marriage, as is the case with unions between people of the same sex,” explains the Vatican.
Scripture says that gays and lesbians, as individuals, can be blessed if they live the teachings of the Church. “(This decision) does not exclude the blessing of people with homosexual tendencies who express the will to faithfully live the plans of God, as offered by the teaching of the Church,” we wrote in the letter.
The blessing bestowed on same-sex unions would be a sign that the Catholic Church supports and encourages “a lifestyle that cannot be recognized as objectively consistent with God’s revealed plans,” says the Vatican.
The message says that “God Himself never refuses to bless every child of His pilgrim in this world … but He does not and cannot bless sin.”
The Vatican emphasized that a negative evaluation of the blessing of a same-sex union does not mean an evaluation of the persons. This Vatican document was published “in response to questions from priests and believers.”
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